Shoulder-mounted robotic speakers

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting an audio event to an ear of a user. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with the ear of the user and analyzing the sensor data to determine a position of the ear. The technique further includes determining a speaker orientation based on the position of the ear and a location of a shoulder-mounted speaker. The technique further includes causing the shoulder-mounted speaker to transmit the audio event to the ear of the user based on the speaker orientation.

Description

BACKGROUNDField of the Embodiments of the Invention[0001]Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to audio systems and, more specifically, to shoulder-mounted robotic speakers.Description of the Related Art[0002]Many consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones, media players, tablets, and personal computers, rely on headphones, built-in speakers, and / or external speakers (e.g., compact, portable speakers) to enable a user to listen to audio content generated by the device. For example, smartphones and portable media players typically include a physical headphone connector and / or a wireless audio interface through which audio signals are passed. A user may then couple a pair of headphones or a speaker system to the device via the connector or wireless interface in order to listen to audio content generated by the device.[0003]Headphones present various drawbacks. In particular, although headphones are capable of providing a high-fidelity audio experience in wide var...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention allows users to hear audio without disturbing others or isolating them from external sounds. The audio system is shoulder-mounted and can be used in situations where a head-mounted device is not suitable. It also allows users to cancel or enhance specific noises in their environment without wearing a device.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, although headphones are capable of providing a high-fidelity audio experience in wide variety of listening environments, wearing headphones reduces the degree to which a user can listen to and interact with his or her environment.

Further, wearing headphones may be obtrusive and / or socially unacceptable in certain situations, such as when a user is in a meeting, in a formal setting, and / or having a conversation with another person.

In particular, although an external speaker system enables a user to listen to audio content without being isolated from the surrounding environment, sound emanating from such a system may disturb other persons in the vicinity of the user.

Moreover, an external speaker system implementation is impractical when a user prefers to keep the audio content produced by the device private, such as during a telephone conversation or when listening to audio content that is personal in nature.

Further, the audio system may be used in situations where a head mounted device may not be socially acceptable.

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